Abstract

This talk explores how the colonial acquisition and commodification of Almoravid coins have complicated efforts to study and preserve African archaeological material. Using Almoravid gold dinars as a case study, I examine the enduring impacts of colonial-era collecting practices on modern museums, private collections, and auction houses. While these coins offer significant insights into trans-Saharan trade networks and Islamic West Africa, their fragmented dispersal across global institutions and private ownership has obscured their provenance, hindering meaningful research.

Through an analysis of museum catalogues, auction records, and provenance gaps in prominent institutions such as the British Museum and Fitzwilliam Museum, I demonstrate how colonial forces have not only stripped African artefacts of their historical context but continue to do so through opaque acquisition practices and the commercialization of African heritage. The talk also addresses the challenges of repatriation, highlighting the financial and institutional barriers that prevent African nations from reclaiming their cultural heritage in the global art market.

By situating Almoravid coins within the broader conversation on decolonization, this presentation underscores the importance of ethical museum practices, transparent provenance research, and the need for equitable collaboration between African and Western institutions to ensure African heritage is preserved and studied within its proper context.

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